Young couple killed by wrong-way vehicle

Monday

Jul 22, 2013 at 6:00 AMJul 22, 2013 at 8:46 PM

By Scott J. Croteau and Kim Ring TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

LINCOLN, R.I. — A former Doherty High School track star and a young mother, both from Worcester, were killed Sunday morning when the car they were riding in collided with a vehicle being driven in the wrong direction on Route 146.

The accident happened about 3 a.m.

State police officials said Aldo Almanzar, 39, of North Smithfield, was driving his 2012 Toyota Camry south in the northbound lane when it collided head-on with another vehicle. Mr. Almanzar also died in the crash.

Mr. Hilow was wearing his seat belt and was treated at an area hospital and released, police said, but his passengers were both killed.

Mr. Correa was wearing his seat belt, but Ms. Vasquez was not, the corporal said.

State police said Mr. Almanzar was unlicensed and not wearing his seat belt.

The two cars collided almost head-on and there was major damage to both vehicles, police said.

Mr. Correa was a member of the track team and also played football — the sport he most loved — at Doherty High School. Along with three others, he still holds the school record in the 4-by-100 relay, his coach, Wendy Marshall, said.

Ms. Marshall recalled him warmly, speaking of his "big heart and intense loyalty."

When he tore his ACL and could not run during his senior year, he was a supportive presence on the sidelines. She said she's heard from some of his friends who are devastated by the loss.

"He really was like a brother (to some of his friends). The athletes form strong bonds," she said.

He also had a strong work ethic.

"He was a hard-working guy. He'd say, 'I'm going to do this and he'd do it,'" his friend and teammate Bedward Ortiz Rivas said.

Mr Correa had been working at Walmart and was dating Ms. Vasquez who, according to her Facebook friends, has a young daughter.

"She was a great girl. She was a good friend to me," Mr. Rivas said, adding that Mr. Correa adored her.

"He really loved her," he said.

Mr. Correa was also known among his friends for loving his mother, Mr. Rivas said.

On his Facebook page he had posted a message to his mom earlier this year: "Just want to say happy birthday too my beautiful mother I love you so much you are the most positive figure in my life without you I don't know where I would be right now thank you for keeping me out of trouble I love you more then words can express," he wrote.

Mr. Rivas said he spoke with his friend's mother and that while she was grieving, she was also thankful to have had him as her son.